If you want to experience Munich like a true Bavarian, book a stay at WunderLocke, lifestyle aparthotel brand Locke's newest outpost, set in the chic German metropolis’ up-and-coming neighbourhood of Sendling. The brand-new hospitality venue, which opens officially in August, was designed by emerging London architecture and interiors studio Holloway Li, and adheres to Locke’s approach of tailor-made accommodation offerings that draw from and connect with their locale – making a point to blend seamlessly with each venue's context.
Led by directors Alex Holloway and Na Li, the creative studio brought together long- and short-stay hospitality elements (from studios to two-bedroom apartments) with flexible working and wellbeing in tow, in a combination that blends different uses harmoniously. Design played a key role in crafting the right atmosphere for all aspects of WunderLocke.
Mixing the area’s industrial heritage with a connection to nature and 21st-century design, the creative team took their cues ‘from the rich theory and aesthetic of early 20th-century artist Wasily Kandinsky. Kandinsky’s work explores how we can develop a closer relationship to nature through abstraction, believing that by connecting with the “Innerer Klang” (inner voice) of things, an artist could reveal the natural essence of objects and materials.’ A raw concrete frame is softened by lush fabrics and textures, pops of colour, playful terrazzo, and warm timbers.
The complex includes 360 spacious design-led apartments, a large co-working area, a coffee shop, meeting and event spaces, as well as an outdoor heated swimming pool, a sauna and a workout studio. An important food element (titled Mural Farmhouse) is spread across seven floors and conceived by the founders of local Michelin-starred restaurant Mural, bringing another layer of comfort and leisure into the WunderLocke offering.
‘WunderLocke is our most boundary-breaking Locke to date, creating a destination in the heart of Munich where locals and travellers alike can immerse themselves in the creative sub-culture of the city. Our ambition with this project was to create a wonderland, where you lose a sense of time and journey seamlessly throughout the day, from the co-working space, coffee shop and swimming pool, to Mural Farmhouse and its skyline bar in the evening,' says Locke's chief development officer and creative director Eric Jafari.
The panoramic views of the city and the Bavarian Alps from the roof terrace's expansive wellness areas ensure that staying here still feels like a holiday – but one that allows guests to weave their stay into the vibrant neighbourhood life, sampling the city of Munich like a true local.
INFORMATION
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